Yuri Fanchini Messas

A New Record of a Host-Parasitoid Interaction: Hymenoepimecis veranii Lofredo & Penteado-Dias, 2009 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Parasitizing Araneus orgaos Levi, 1991 (Araneae: Araneidae)

The genus Hymenoepimecis only occurs in the Neotropics. In some species of this genus, the larval stage modifies the behavior of the spider hosts, inducing then to construct a modified web. The wasp Hymenoepimecis veranii has been previously described as an ectoparasitoid of the spider Araneus omnicolor. This study provides detailed information about the natural history of the host-parasitoid interaction involving this wasp with a new host, the spider Araneus orgaos (Araneae: Araneidae), which occurs sympatrically with A. omnicolor.

Substrate selection and spatial segregation by two congeneric species of Eustala (Araneae: Araneidae) in southeastern Brazil

Abstract Habitat and microhabitat selection by spiders are influenced by abiotic and biotic factors, including vegetation structure, natural enemies, and prey availability. Some species are highly dependent on particular conditions, such as the presence of substrates where they remain camouflaged, constantly humid sites or the occurrence of plants bearing glandular trichomes. Others are distributed in areas that include a wide range of physical conditions and interact with several types of prey, predators and competitors. In the present study, we evaluated spatial distribution and substrate selection of two sympatric congeneric species with distinct body shapes and colors, Eustala taquara (Keyserling 1892) and E. sagana (Keyserling 1893), in an area of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We focused on the following factors regarding habitat selection: i) distance from the border (forest edge or interior); ii) altitudinal distribution, ranging from 740 to 1294 m; iii) web height above ground level; and iv) plant species used for web attachment. All individuals of both species were located at the forest edge, especially on dry branches. However, they occurred preferentially in different host plants and altitudes. Eustala taquara individuals were strongly associated with Conyza bonariensis, and E. sagana with Hyptis suaveolens and C. sumatrensis. Dry branch preferences might be important to reduce species conspicuousness to visually oriented predators, such as birds and wasps. Spatial segregation between closely related species possibly minimizes interference interactions, such as competition for particular sites or prey items.

Spatial distribution and substrate selection by the orb-weaver spider Eustala perfida Mello-Leitão, 1947 (Araneae: Araneidae)

Spider habitat types are often restricted by specific biotic and/or abiotic factors. Abiotic physical limitations include temperature and humidity; and biological conditions influencing spider habitat include vegetation type, natural enemies and prey availability. The orb-weaver spider, Eustala perfida (Araneidae), typically builds its web against tree trunks, where it is highly camouflaged. In the present study, we evaluated E. perfida spatial distribution and substrate selection in Serra do Japi, an Atlantic Forest region located in Jundiaí (São Paulo, Brazil). We established plots within and at the forest edge at three altitudes, and measured trunk diameter, web height above ground level, presence of trunk concavities, and spider number in trees within plots. Eustala perfida occurred at all three altitudes, and was more common at the intermediate elevation. All individuals were observed within the forest interior, with the highest occurrence on trunks with diameter at breast height > 30 cm. Trunk diameter varied among sites, and E. perfida distribution apparently followed large trunk availability. On large diameter trunks, spiders typically placed their webs over concavities, and tended to build in rough areas covered by lichens and mosses at levels as high as ~ 150 cm above ground level. Selection of large rough trunks covered by lichens and mosses is probably an adaptation to remain concealed from visually oriented predators.

The wasp Flacopimpla varelae Gauld (Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae), parasitoid of the spider Achaearanea tingo Levi (Theridiidae: Theridiinae), with description of the male wasp

Parasitoid organisms can manipulate the morphology, physiology and/or behavior of their hosts to increase their own survival (Moore 2002; Korenko et al. 2015a). Wasps of the Polysphincta genus-group sensu Gauld Dubois, 2006 (hereafter polysphinctine wasps) are well known to act exclusively as koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders (Gauld Dubois 2006). The host range of these wasps is remarkably narrow and often species-specific; individuals of some polysphinctine genera (e.g. Hymenoepimecis, Acrotaphus) usually attack orb-weaver spiders (Pádua et al. 2016), whereas other are specialized on spiders that construct three-dimensional webs. Fritzén (2014), for example, discussed that Oxyrrhexis Föerster, 1869, Zatypota Föerster, 1869 and Flacopimpla Gauld, 1991 are specialized on theridiid hosts, the last two mainly or exclusively on spiders of the subfamily Theridiinae.

Spider–Plant Interactions: An Ecological Approach

Spiders are among the most common animals in diverse terrestrial environments, and display a variety of lifestyles and foraging modes. This chapter represents an overview of our knowledge of spider–plant interactions. Spiders are strongly influenced by plant architecture, rather than being randomly distributed in the vegetation; structures such as rosette-shaped clusters of leaves or glandular trichomes are particularly common in plants that have associations with spiders. Spiders derive benefits from plants such as shelter and access to insect prey. In turn, they can protect plants against herbivory. However, they may also consume or deter pollinators, imposing a cost that can exceed their benefit to the plant. Specific spider–plant associations are mutualistic if spiders provide protective or nutritional benefits, thus improving plant fitness, and if plants provide shelter and suitable foraging sites to spiders. We examine several case studies of spiders living in association with plants, and describe spatial/temporal adaptations in spider–plant relationships.

Paracyphononyx scapulatus (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a koinobiont ectoparasitoid of Trochosa sp. (Araneae, Lycosidae)

The genus Paracyphononyx Gribodo, 1884 (Pompilidae) contains species that act as koinobiont parasitoids of cursorial spiders. Here, we record a new parasitism interaction involving the pompilid wasp Paracyphononyx scapulatus (Brethes) and the hunter spider Trochosa sp. (Lycosidae), and we describe how the wasp develops on the spider. This study contributes new information about the interaction between koinobiont ectoparasitoid wasps and spiders, which probably arose independently in different groups of wasps.

First record of necrophagy by Scybalocanthon nigriceps Harold (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae)

First record of necrophagy by Scybalocanthon nigriceps Harold (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae). The S. nigriceps specimen was observed making small cuts and removing portions of the carcass of a frog Haddadus binotatus (Spix) in February 24, 2011, in Serra do Japi, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. This note presents another record of necrophagy for Scybalocanthon.

On taxonomy and hosts of Leptostylum Macquart, 1851 (Diptera: Tachinidae: Blondeliini), with description of a new species and a new host record

ABSTRACT Tachinid flies are well known as being parasitoids of arthropods, mostly insects. Because of this, there is great economic interest in the biological control of pests using tachinids. Host records for Tachinidae, however, are still scarce, especially in the Neotropical region. A new species of the Neotropical genus Leptostylum Macquart was reared from Automeris naranja Schaus (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), a new host record, in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. Leptostylum oligothrix Gudin and Messas sp. nov. is herein described, including diagnosis and the first illustration of female terminalia for the genus. Additionally, illustrations and remarks on type material of Leptostylum deposited at Museu de Zoologia de São Paulo (MZSP) are made, a taxonomic catalogue of Leptostylum is provided, and a host record is detailed, including a host catalogue for the genus. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C54E5F46-B9D5-49CE-A0C9-D260F2896662

The parasitoid wasp Eruga unilabiana Pádua & Sobczak, sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) induces behavioral modification in its spider host: A new wasp species and its host spider

Some polysphinctine parasitoid wasps can alter the web building behavior of their host spiders. In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new species Eruga unilabiana sp. nov. and report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the interaction between this parasitic wasp and the linyphiid spider Dubiaranea sp. We investigated the wasps host selection, development, and manipulation of host behavior. We found that most of the parasitized spiders were intermediate‐sized adult females that probably provide sufficient resources for parasitoid larvae and are less vulnerable for parasitoid females than larger host individuals at attack. The cocoon web of Dubiaranea sp. consists of a complex three‐dimensional tangle structure with several non‐stick radial lines that converge at the cocoon. In addition, E. unilabiana individuals construct their cocoons horizontally, which differ from cocoons of the majority of polysphinctine wasps. This study provides important information and discussion to further understand the evolution of parasitoid wasp–spider interactions.

Description of the male of Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brullé, 1846) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae)

aInstituto de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza – ICEN, Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira – UNILAB, Rodovia CE 060, Km 51, CEP 62785-000, Acarape, CE, Brasil bDepartamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos – UFSCar, Rodovia Washington Luís, Km 235, CP 676, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brasil cDepartamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas – UNICAMP, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, CEP 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brasil dPrograma de Pós-graduação em Entomologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2936, CEP 69060-001, Manaus, AM, Brasil